MIRI: Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently welcomed the deputy consul general of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Song Chanhong, and consul Shao Xiao on their first familiarisation tour of the campus.
They were accompanied by Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry committee member Ku Chee Ming.
On hand to receive them were Curtin Malaysia’s pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Professor Simon Leunig; acting chief operating officer and director of Curtin Biovalley Sdn. Bhd. Associate Professor Pieter Willem Pottas; domestic student recruitment and external engagement manager Muhamad Rahman Sallehin; and international student recruitment manager Cherina Chiew.
Leunig said Curtin Malaysia was honoured by their visit and thanked the Chinese consulate for their willingness to support and collaborate with Curtin, particularly in fostering partnerships with Chinese universities and attracting more Chinese students to study at the university.
“During the discussion, I highlighted Curtin’s standing in the global university rankings, Curtin Malaysia’s strengths in academia, research and its strong connections with government and industry, as well as its large 1,200-acre campus and facilities.
“I also informed them about Curtin Malaysia’s ownership by the state government and how the campus is serving the needs of the state, particularly in providing educational and training opportunities for Sarawakians, and in research addressing local issues,” he said in a statement today (Feb 10).
In terms of research, Curtin Malaysia produces roughly 10 per cent of the research conducted across Curtin University, which is very significant and testimony of Curtin Malaysia’s research capabilities.
“Both parties agreed that Curtin Malaysia remains an attractive option for Chinese students, given its reputation as Curtin’s largest global campus and the rising costs of studying in other countries, and will work together to attract more students from China,” he said.
The visit concluded with a tour of the campus, including its innovative distributed learning and collaborative study areas, lecture theatres and on-campus student accommodations, and the Sarawak government-owned Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant managed and operated by Curtin Biovalley Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Curtin Malaysia.
